Wellington City Council’s draft 10-Year Plan, which
will be released on Friday evening, earmarks $3.6 million
over 10 years to support the predator-free goal. That
includes funding for community groups to install and manage
traps in Wellington.

“We’re fortunate and thankful
that more than 5000 Wellington households and numerous
community conservation groups are already involved in
predator control projects,” the Mayor says.

“It’s heartening to see Wellingtonians already coming
together on this important issue, and we’re proud to
increase our funding for these community-building
eco-initiatives.”

The Predator Free Wellington
project — a partnership between Wellington City Council,
Greater Wellington Regional Council and The NEXT Foundation
to rid the city of rats, possums and mustelids — will be
rolled out on Miramar Peninsula this year before being
implemented citywide.

The Peninsula was chosen as a
starting point because the airport and sea act as an
effective predator barrier, and a successful campaign rid
the area of possums in 2006.

The Mayor says
community-led predator-free projects work hand-in-hand with
Zealandia’s role as an incubator of wildlife, and give
native birds a home to go to outside the reserve’s
fence.

“Thanks to these collaborative efforts, all
signs point to Wellington becoming the world’s first
predator-free capital,” he says.

Predator Free
Wellington portfolio leader Councillor Andy Foster says that
with a growing population we need to ensure we live in
harmony with our environment.

“We’ve come on an
incredible environmental restoration journey over the past
25 years with land protection, Zealandia, pest control and
revegetation. This would not have been possible without the
passionate advocacy and hands on participation by an ever
increasing number of Wellingtonians in a wide range of
restoration work.

“We haven’t finished yet, and
becoming predator free so that birds, lizards and insects
can survive is the next important step in this
transformation,” Cr Foster says.

Predator Free
Wellington builds on a 20-year programme of integrated
predator control and broader ecological restoration
undertaken in reserves and rural areas.

The
Council’s 10-Year Plan also includes investing in core
water management infrastructure, investing in a regional
trails framework to support active lifestyles, and new
exhibits at Wellington Zoo.

Mayor Lester says it is
important that Wellington, as the capital city, shows
leadership on environmental challenges.

“We can, and
should, use resources more efficiently and effectively to
help reduce and eliminate harmful impacts on our
environment.”

The draft 10-Year Plan document will
be discussed by the Council on 7 March, and formal
consultation will begin on 15 April. The full Council will
meet mid-year to approve the 10-Year Plan.

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